The comics I picked up this week include Young Avengers 1, Uncanny X-Force 1, Uncanny Avengers 3, Avengers 3, FF 3, Winter Soldier 14, Wolverine and the X-men 24, Gambit 8, Nightwing 16 and Witchblade 163. This video contains my unscripted first impressions – I’ll add links to my full reviews as I post them.
In case the video isn’t working yet, or if you’d rather read my thoughts, here are my thoughts in two sentences or less.
Avengers 3 was fun, but there wasn’t all that much substance. It’s the first major battle for Jonathan Hickman’s Avengers, and it effectively shows how powerful the new team is, but there isn’t much characterization. It’s still worth reading, but hopefully the series will get better from here.
FF 3 was good, just not quite as good as the first two issues. It further develops the plot for Matt Fraction’s run, and it further develops both Scott Lang and Miss Thing as characters. It’s well worth reading for Fantastic Four fans.
Wolverine and the X-Men 24 was good. It had a much stronger character focus than this series usually has, and it takes itself more seriously too. It explores most of the adult characters involved with WATXM and where their mindsets are at the time – easy recommendation.
Gambit 8 was fun, and did a good job at exploring his life as both a thief and a superhero.
Witchblade 163 was weird and fun. It touches on a number of plot threads that have started up since issue 151 and it’s easy to understand for new readers, yet it’s not necessarily the best introduction to the series if that makes any sense. It’s still worth picking up for Witchblade regulars though.
healed1337 
Young Avengers was awesome. McKelvie does some great art and amazing layouts, and Gillen writes a bunch of fantastic characters. The scene between Kate and Noh was great, the scene between Billy and Teddy was great, the scene between Chavez and Loki was great. It was all great. I loved it. People should be reading this book.
UXF was actually really good, I thought. The characterization of Storm and Psylocke felt really right. It felt like they were taken to their Claremontian roots, all attitude, snark and general badassitude. And Puck was awesome. Gotta love Puck. That charming midget bastard. And I’m glad Humphries dropped the Psylocke/Fantomex romance. That never worked.
UA was good. Better than the last two issues. I think the biggest problem the book has now is its continually slipping release schedule. Also, it still bugs me that the frigging Nazi has a more diverse team than the people fighting on behalf of an oppressed minority. THREE blond-haired, blue-eyed Ubermensch is a bit much.
Avengers was likewise improved from the first two issues, though the ending felt anti-climatic. Hickman will need to start bringing deeper characterization, though.
You know who doesn’t have to worry about deeper characterization? Fraction and Allred. Because FF is doing a great job at it. And I just learned I suck at transitions. Anyway, FF was great.
Winter Soldier was really good, with a great twist ending that’s really bittersweet and tear-inducing. Very well-done. And now Brubaker’s totally finished with Cap and Bucky, which is sad.
WatXM was much better than usual. When Aaron cuts the silly crap and actually does character-focused stuff, the book improves drastically. He needs to keep doing issues like this. But without Quire hitting on Jean. Because no.
Gambit’s OK. I find myself losing interest in this series, though. I’m not sure why. I think I might just not be a big Gambit fan.
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